On May 1st I attended the presentation “Being Middle Eastern in the United States” held during the international education week at CSU Chico. Not having any Middle Eastern blood in my family, I thought that this might be a nice educational experience that might help me gain a different perspective of what their lives are really like living in America. Little did I know that I would actually be attending a DVD comedy show put on by four different Middle Eastern Americans based on challenges that they face in America.
The four talented comedians that performed in the DVD The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour hosted by Comedy Central were Aron Kader, Anmed Ahmed, Dean Obeidallan, and Maz Jobrani. A lot of these comedians were able to use the 9/11 attacks as part of there premise for being misunderstood. They were able to take situations about stereotypes of Arabs and how they were treated look so ridiculous that I could never imagine being in their shoes. The comedian that I enjoyed the most from the DVD was Dean Obeidallan. He seemed to have the most jokes that I could really relate to and had be laughing at many different points of his routine. During the showing the comedians were also able to bring some serious thought about what was really happening through all of the hateful stereotypes portrayed from the media about Muslims in America. Not only were they able to make fun of a horrible situation but they were also able to point out all the racial issues our nation is still dealing with.
After the showing of the DVD ended, a short discussion was held with various students sharing their thought of being of Middle Eastern decent while living in America and the various issues that surround them. For a lot of the student it seemed like they had gone through some difficult experiences but in the end realizing that they would not let these situations bring them down. Ever since 9/11 has happened I can say that I unintentionally have thought negatively about the Muslim religion not really looking at the whole picture. It is important as a society that we do not let the actions of a few bad apples reflect negatively on a religion as a whole. The Muslim religion is not the source spreading violence and war but rather the work of a small group of influential and convincing men. As a nation it is time to put these stereotypes behind us and move toward a future of living in peace and harmony.
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This "is" a white christian country and it will stay that way , anyone who does not like ie that way is welcome to leave sooner rather then later !!!!!